While many of the sitting Cobb Superior Court judges are my friends and people with whom I am personally and amicably acquainted, I do not think another 3 percent pay raise is necessary — or justified.

State Sen. Steve Thompson, one of the very few Democrats for whom I have even the semblance of respect, cites as one of the factors for which he supports the raise that any competent attorney can make much more than the current judges’ salaries. I am fairly certain that competent attorneys earning vastly greater sums in partnerships or private practice couldn’t care less about the monetary aspect of a Superior Court judgeship. It’s the respect, honor and prestige commanded by the title “judge” that they seek.

Add to this the fact that judges’ salaries are a matter of public record, and one could (and should) fall back on the old saw that “You knew how much it paid when you ran for it!”

While I may alienate some of my judicial friends and acquaintances by voicing my humble opinion, I say “thumbs down” on yet another pay raise!

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